New York City is the largest city in the United States and one of the largest urban areas in the world. It is an important center for international affairs as it hosts the headquarters of the United Nations. Visitors have a lot of choices here. They can either shop, dine, watch Broadway Shows or enjoy the spectacular views of the City’s many renowned landmarks.

• Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a 1,453 foot skyscraper that has attracted 3.6 million people a year to its observatories since its opening in 1931. This skyscraper is impossible to pass by as visiting here will never be complete without going to the top of the building.

• Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is America’s most famous symbol for freedom. It stands 151 feet above the New York Harbor. You should get here early if you want to climb the 354 step narrow winding staircase because long lines are expected everyday.

• Top of the Rock

Get a spectacular view of New York City by visiting this place. You will get a breathtaking landscape of the city in every direction. They have a high-speed shuttle that will send you racing to the sky. Let your mind be stimulated by its dazzling multimedia history exhibits that are a feast to anyone’s eyes. Open 365 days a year, the Top of the Rock is something that you should not miss.

• Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is the favorite place for both New Yorkers and tourists. Admission is free here. If you love shopping, the center has some signature shops to hop around. They have an ice skating rink and a music hall that seats 6,000 crowds.

• Central Park

The Central Park is an 843-acre oasis that offers both residents and tourists a refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is so much to see here and do here. You can stroll along the Mall, take a rowboat ride on the lake or play softball game. The choice is yours.

• Times Square

You’ll find all sorts of fun when visiting Time Square because this place has it all. You’ll find here a wide array of dining and food options, entertainment, shopping and nightlife. An exciting and vibrant place to visit, events and attractions here are endless.

• United Nations

The United Nations in New York City is an international territory belonging to the member countries. Its main purpose is to maintain peace, protect rights of the people, and promote development throughout the world. You will see here 192 waving flags of member countries in front of the UN buildings. It is located in First Avenue between 42^nd and 48^th Streets.

• Rose Center for Earth & Space

The Rose Center for Earth & Space is an 87-foot sphere which appears to float in a glass-walled cube. It now houses the new Hayden Planetarium which features the technologically advanced Space Theatre in the world. This brand new state-of-the-art center will take you from the inner workings of our planet to the outer limits of the galaxy. It is located in Central Park West at 81^st Street.

• Metropolitan Museum

The Metropolitan Museum is NYC’s grand museum. You will see here the art of mankind from ancient Egypt through the Renaissance to American masters. Discover each of the museum’s section. There is also a wing in the museum devoted to the art of Africa, the Pacific Island and others. If you love art you should visit this place. It is located in 1000 Fifth Avenue and 82^nd Street.

• Intrepid Museum

The Intrepid Museum features the superstructure of the seas. Named after the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier which was commissioned for service in World War II, it is now a national historic landmark. The museum features a range of interactive exhibits and events that makes this superstructure a snapshot of heroism, education and excitement. . It is located in Pier 86 along the Hudson River at 46^th Street.

• South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport, located in 12-14 Fulton Street between Water & South Streets, is a galore of restaurants and shops. It is a historic district and a living museum. Inside you will see ship models, prints and paintings. Outside, you can either tour the boat building shop or take a tour of the vessel Peking, a historic ship, an enjoy a spectacular views of the New York Harbor.

• Ground Zero

Ground Zero is the place we are all familiar with. It is a historical landmark that is hard to miss. Your visit to New York City will never be complete without getting a glimpse of the Ground Zero. Redevelopments are still underway and five new towers are expected to be complete by 2011 and 2012. A tribute World Trade Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 6PM and from 12:00Noon to 6PM every Sunday. There is a one-hour guided tour for a $10.00 donation.

• Ellis Island

Ellis Island is a historical landmark that traces the immigrant roots of over 100 Americans. It serves as the repository of the memories and heritage of the 12 million immigrants that entered the United States through this island between 1892 and 1954. The island’s Immigrant Museum offers visitors a chance to see what coming to America meant.

Las Vegas, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, is known to be the entertainment capital of the world. This is the place to visit if you are looking for a real good time. There’s no shortage of things to see and do here. Be it gambling, nightlife, spas, dining, golf or shows, they all have it here. Vegas is famous for the number of large casino resorts and the entertainment that comes along with it.

The Vegas Strip is where you will find a lot of attractions. It really has a world of its own. Where else would you go if you can tour the world in just one street – the Vegas Strip. This is the street of lights, thrills, excitements and so much more. You will find here all sorts of fun. With luxurious casino hotels lining up the Strip, you can go all out casino hopping or watch free or paid shows. You can find shows at Bally’s, Luxor, the Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Mirage, Flamingo, Tropicana and at other famous hotels.

Visiting here would give you more recreation whether it be in or out of the Vegas Strip. After a few overstimulating days of card games, fabulous dining and drinking, almost every Vegas visitor is struck by the feeling of — I need to get out.  The desert heat, which can top 100 degrees spring through fall can fuel this urge. Since the place is surrounded by some of the country’s most striking landscapes, traveling here would be more memorable, fun and exciting. An hour’s journey or less transports you to piney mountains, sprawling desert, red-rock pinnacles or the waters of the Colorado River or Lake Mead. You can hike, bike, paddle or simply take a scenic drive. The choice is yours. The advantage is you can be back in town by dark and dine at a four-star restaurant or take in a show.

Visit the official travel sites of Las Vegas to learn more. You will find all the information you’ll need about featured attractions at all the Vegas casino resorts, great shows to watch for the whole family , and great hotel deals. Just visit www.lasvegas.com.

World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind. Though more than half a century has passed, it continues to absorb the interest of many especially the veterans and their families. Part of that history is Corregidor, a small rocky island located about 48 kilometers west of Manila in the Philippines. A tadpole-shaped island which is four miles long and about 1.5 miles at its widest point, it served not only as a fortress of defense and a penal institution but also as a signal outpost to warn Manila of approaching hostile ships and as a station for Customs inspection.

Historians, scholars, veterans and their families and tourists flock to this island because of the critical role it played during World War II. Here, visitors can discover for themselves the landmarks of the ruins of war.They can also catch the lovely sunset at Battery Grubb’s, one of the disappearing guns perched on a hill overlooking the magnificent Peninsula.

A significant landmark perhaps is the tunnel system, the most extensive construction in the island. It consisted of a main east-west passage 826 feet long with a 24 foot diameter and had 25 lateral passages, each about 400 feet long, branching out at regular intervals from each side of the main passage. A separate system of tunnels north of this main tunnel housed the underground hospital and had its own 12 laterals and space for 1,000 beds. The facility could be reached either through the main tunnel or by a separate outside entrance on the north side of Malinta Hill. The Navy tunnel system, which lay opposite the hospital, under the south side of Malinta was connected to the main tunnel by a partially completed low passageway through the quartermaster storage lateral.

This is the place where, the day before the U.S. and Filipino forces on Bataan surrendered to the Japanese, the Army evacuated its nurses. Japanese pilots subjected the island to heavy bombing for weeks following the surrender. East of the Malinta tunnel was the location of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters. Reinforced with concrete walls, floors, and overhead arches, blowers to furnish fresh air, and a double-track electric tramway line along the east-west passage, the Malinta Tunnel furnished bombproof shelter for the hospital, headquarters, and shops, as well as a maze of underground storehouses.

For visitors who wish to stay overnight there is the Corregidor Inn which is strategically located at the middleside of Corregidor Island. It provides comfortable accommodations amidst the green and serene ambience of the island. This is a place to stay for people who want peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Inn has thirty (30) standard rooms and one (1) suite room. The rooms are fully airconditioned and well maintained and are made of wooden materials. La Playa Restaurant, which is also at the Corregidor Inn, has a selection of local and foreign dishes to satisfy one’s craving.

Another place to stay is the Corregidor Hostel. The hostel is a dormitory type accommodation with two wings. Each wing has thirteen (13) double deck beds and can accommodate twenty-six persons. It has a conference room to hold seminars, conferences and team building sessions.

If you want a vacation and fear that you can’t afford to have one, don’t despair. You may not be able to stay on a five-star hotel or fly first-class, but with a little creativity and flexibility you can pretty much afford to travel to anywhere you want.

Let’s take a look at how you can make that dream vacation even on a tight budget.

1. Drive if you can

With flight delays and airfare on the rise, it is better to drive than to fly. Driving is more economical, relaxing, and you get to see other places on your way to the desired destination too. You can also bring some food and drinks in the car. Forget about the fancy GPS. You can get to your destination without it. With a little creativity you can save a lot of money. Borrow a travel guide in your public library or make copies of it. If you have access to a computer and the internet go online and print the travel guide from there.

2. Airfare

Be resourceful to save money. Do some research offline and online on where you can get the best airfare deal. Call your airline company if you are a frequent flyer. Maybe you missed that bonus miles you earned a while back. It takes a great deal of planning if you are going international. Airfares are usually expensive especially during peak season. You might consider signing-up an airline credit card that gives you good bonus miles but be mindful of the hidden charges.

3. Accommodation

If one is not picky there are a lot of options out there that one can get. Traveling with friends saves money since you can share expenses with them. If you are traveling alone you might consider staying in a hostel which charges a very minimal amount. Most hostels allow visitors to check in after 3PM and check-out before 10AM the following day. If you have friends or a friend of a friend who lives in the place you are planning to visit then you might consider that too. If they have free time they can be your instant tour-guide.

4. Entertainment

Most places have free attractions. Take advantage of it while it’s free. If you need to pay an entrance fee then check yourself first if you are really interested or if you just feel like you have to. You need to let your brain think it is money going out of your pocket. Check if you can get discounted ticket by using your school card or going there on an off-peak season or by joining a group tour. Most places have parks and exploring it is entertaining. So entertain yourself by doing that because you will never know you might stumble upon a free show.

5. Souvenir and gift items

We are fond of giving gifts to friends and family even if we are short of funds. When we buy it usually comes in T-shirts or caps. For personal souvenir items consider buying something that symbolizes your visit. Make it something that you will really appreciate when you get home or else you will regret spending your hard earned money.

6. Food

If you have access to a kitchen it saves money when you buy your own grocery and cook your own food. But if you don’t like cooking for sure you will come across cheap restaurants while you stroll around the area. One thing to consider before going on a trip is to make a little bit of research about the area such as best places to eat on a budget.

7. Keeping in touch back home

Calling long distance is very expensive but, with today’s technology, keeping in touch with family and friends is not a problem. If you have access to a computer and the internet, there is Skype , which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With a little creativity you can talk to your loved ones free.